The training is called Upright & Watertight – Stability at Sea Symposium, referencing the focus on the stability and structural integrity of area fishing vessels.

The sessions, part of a series taking place throughout the North East, are designed to help the fishing community prevent fishing related deaths in a region that has averaged four deaths per year since 2005.

In the North East, more than 150 fishing boats have flooded, sank or capsized since 1992. These incidents have resulted in 87 fatalities.

The session taking place in Shinnecock will be held at the Best Western Eastern End, Riverhead, N.Y. www.bestwesterneastend.com. The Sandy Hook session will take place at the Blue Bay Inn, Atlantic Highlands, N.J. www.bluebayinn.com.

“This symposium is a free offer to the fishing community to learn how to recognize the dangers that might cause them to sink or capsize,” said Lt. Jen Haag, the symposium coordinator. “Most of the fishing vessels in the Northeast are not required to complete stability tests. We want to help them recognize potential stability issues that can arise throughout a vessel’s voyage, whether it is at the pier, in transit, or engaged in fishing.”

Current regulations require only vessels 79 feet or more in length and constructed or substantially altered after September 1991 to undergo stability tests.